b'Club NewsHawks Mountain Ridge Riders Carl Spaulding and Barry Messer tested out the new Tiaga electric snowmobiles.Over 100 snowmobilers took part in the Chester Snowmobile Clubs annual poker run.Our large parking area on Lovers Lane in Chester has been very full and folks have parked efficiently allowing Chester Snowmobile Club enough space for their fellow riders,Little Ascutney Snowmobile Clubfor the most part. The porta-potty there As I write this in early March, itshas been a welcome convenience.While others may be complaining hard to believe the season is windingJoan Choiniere, Secretaryabout the crappy winter were having, down and will, all too soon, be over.Like us on Facebook save it. Think positive! Im thankful Wondering where the winters of oldfor the volunteers we have. Im excited with feet of snow have gone. All toowith the new leadership well get often we have had to show our trails asthrough our county. Im happy with yellow (open with limited conditions)the cooperation shown by the county rather than green indicating open withdirectors at the VAST level. Our lots of snow. Our groomers have gonesupport network from the VAST office out as much as possible to make theHawks Mountain Ridge Riders has been tremendous. I had a question best trails possible with the snow weabout a Volunteer and Military TMAs have received. Although we had a lot of ice and notand trying to figure out how many Happy to report that we did havemuch snow this year, at least thereTMAs we sold. Even though I waited enough snow to hold both our pokerwas some riding. Thank you to Carlto the last minute, the VAST staff had run and kids ride this winter. We hadSpaulding, Barry Messer, Dan Hadwenthe answers. Thank you.over 110 riders for our poker run thatand Jason Phelps for operating theWe took our largest landowner out on took them through 35 miles looking forgroomer to make the best of what wea cruise on his property.We showed tokens to be exchanged for their pokerhad for snow. Every year we lose moreoff the area where trees were cleared hands. In addition to all the prizes,trails and often for avoidable reasons.and the trail was growing a full head many local merchants donated giftWe all need to take a stand on peopleof grass. There were no ruts, no wet cards again this year as prizes. We wantbreaking curfews and speed limits,areas and the brush was cut up then to thank Smittys Market, The Heritage,littering, riding in closed areas, etc.laid flat.Even though the trail was Southern Pie Company and AbernaqueRecently two of our club members triedalmost 20 feet wide, it blended well Car Wash. out the new electric snowmobiles ininto the natural contours.Also, water Thanks to Dick Jewett for grooming theStowe. Other than the relatively short- was draining off the hill fine and route on Saturday night. Lee Whitingrange that they have, they were quiteculverts were disbursing water out and Frank Companik did a great jobimpressed with the handling, throttleof the way. The landowner expressed cooking burgers and hotdogs that day.response, quietness, etc.his appreciation for our stewardship. Also available was Robyn WhitingsOften overlooked are our clubThats not something you get every rustic vegetable soup, goulash andmembers. We thank every one ofday. Snowmobilers are like a guest. hot cocoa. The Stone Hearth donatedthem for joining our club and payingClubs are the hosts. Respect is the donuts and cookies for this event. the dues that help fund our projects. way to show your appreciation. If you Our annual kids ride, held inAs always, thank you to all of thebehave, you might get asked to return.conjunction with Chesters wintergenerous landowners who make thisOur hard work last fall relocating a carnival, was a great success with overpossible.steep winding goat path into a real 100 youngsters taking part.Steve Kruse, Club News Correspondentsustainable trail paid off. There was no Like us on Facebook more winching. The landowner pulled 38 | Snowmobile VERMONT'